“Are you going to stay in my shuttle? Or perhaps you both need me to escort you to your room?” Kaede scoffed. “I need to check on a few things before I retire, and you both are preventing me from doing so.”
Xylo bit his tongue. He knew Kaede’s anger wasn’t toward them but the two geologists that mistreated them. After he reported to Kaede what happened in the cavern beyond the metallic doors, he was furious. While the broody assassin honored his promise about only interfering with their date if needed, he still wanted to teach the young demi-human a lesson about respect. Selena’s guard didn’t fault Xylo for not making a scene, knowing that anything hostile would only upset his charge.
“We are leaving, Kaede,” Selena hissed. “Didn’t you see that I was just sleeping? Or are you slacking with your spying on me?”
“I was making an observation,” he replied. “You can’t deny that you are tired. I believe Odelm would appreciate it if his nestqueen wasn’t tired for his date tomorrow. As it is, it’s almost midnight. I’m sure the rest of your clan is wondering where you are.”
Xylo hooked an arm around Selena, directing her through the shuttle’s entrance.
She halted right before the horned male and stared him down. “For your information, they know where I am located from our mental threads. My clan agreed to the same terms that each one of them would have an uninterrupted date with me of their choice, so no one would ruin the other’s private time with me. While I appreciate your concern, I don’t need you to tell me what to do with my nestmates.”
He smirked. “Noted. Anything else, Your Highness?”
“No,” she replied, jerking her chin. “I am safe at home, so you’re free to go.”
Kaede mockingly bowed. “As you wish.”
They watched as he walked passed them, returning into his shuttle. Its ramp folded behind him as the door slid closed.
Xylo led her away into the villa’s garage door, safe from Kaede’s take off.
They walked in silence through the hallway and past the sanctuary. As they came to their master bedroom’s double door, Xylo halted, pulling Selena to a stop.
“Is something wrong?” Selena whispered, confused as she peered into his eyes.
“Nothing is the matter.” He brushed a stray silver strand behind her ear. “I just wanted a brief moment alone with you before we rejoin our clan.”
“What do you have in mind?”
Cupping her cheeks, he pressed his lips to hers. His tongue found hers as he deepened their kiss, earning him a moan from his nestqueen. Thoughts of appreciation and love burned through their connection, filling him with honor and steeling his devotion to her.
When he finally pulled back, she slowly opened her eyes, staring at him dazed and breathless.
“Selena, you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me,” he swore. “I will fight the Fates and the Stars to keep you happy and in my life. Remember, no matter what happens, I will honor you and our connection, for the love you have shown me is something that I’ve never fathomed.”
Chapter Nine Odelm
Odelm paced the length of his music room, wondering what was taking his nestqueen so long. Now he understood how his nestbrother, Xylo, had felt while he’d been waiting for Selena yesterday.
While Xylo had taken Selena out on their date, Odelm had spent the whole day planning out his own. When she’d called out to all her nestmates and delivered her warning, he knew they had made a mistake by talking down to her.
Odelm remembered they had mentioned the discovery of a nestqueen’s mental limits when the Circuli had first entered the Yaarkins War, but it was wrong for them to expect that Selena was beholden to the same restrictions. She was designed to take on special abilities from any species she mated with, and adapt them to secure the best chance for her offspring’s survival. They had already learned that her venom, which she’d gained from Kaede, wasn’t as potent as his, for it hadn’t paralyzed Odelm when she’d bit him in the shower.
Luckily, she’d been in a forgiving mood when she had returned after dinner. It didn’t take much apologizing for her to brush off the offense and join her clan in their nestbed.
As they’d watched the stars twinkle through their bedroom’s ceiling skylight, she had explained what she and Xylo had discovered about her necklace’s gem.
Zirene wasn’t happy about the two geologists’ behavior, even though they gave them all the information that they had wanted. He’d admitted that he kept the gems a secret known only to a select few people, and he wouldn’t spread the information unless absolutely necessary. She didn’t need to know what the gem was—after all, it was harmless on its own.
However, he’d said he was glad she now knew its power. He was willing to gift her a priceless gem as a symbol of how important she was to him.
While Selena had accepted his explanation, Odelm wasn’t satisfied.
Something felt off about his explanation, but he wasn’t going to call the Aldawi prince out. Everyone had secrets, and whatever Zirene was holding back, he must have a decent reason. However, his secrecy still didn’t sit right with him.
Unlike Xylo, who had taken Selena on a midday date, Odelm wanted to take her out after dinner, since the evening was the most romantic time of the day. What he had planned for her this evening was something he’d wanted to give her for the longest time, but had never found the right moment.
Finally, Odelm felt a tug on their golden thread connection, and he took in a deep breath to prepare himself for what was to come.
Would she enjoy what he had planned?
Secretly, he wondered if she would compare the evening to her date with Xylo.
“Odelm?”
His eyes snapped in the direction of her voice, like a
